Archive for OCONNORS LAST HOPE

Before a standing room only crowd, one of the greatest cattle genetics partnerships, GMO (GenerVations, Mapel Wood, and O’Connor Land & Cattle Co.) reaped the fruits of their investments for an outstanding average of $27,666 on 175 lots. Vision, commitment and hard work came together at the Genetics By Design Sale.

Albert Cormier and LYLEHAVEN LILA Z

Fueled by the original purchase of COMESTAR GOLDWYN LILAC VG-89-5YR-CAN as a heifer for just under $60,000, this group has developed one of the most in-demand cow families in the world. Of course Lilac’s dam is none other than the $1.15 Million cow, LYLEHAVEN LILA Z EX-94-CAN 14*, who, at the time she sold, had many wondering if she was really worth it? (Read – Lylehaven Lila Z: Was She Really Worth $1.15 Million?) It is evident from this sale, that those questions have been answered. As auctioneer Brian Craswell emphasized, “It’s not how much the animals will bring but how much you will make” that was spurring on eager investors.

Leading the way was the #1 GLPI cow in Canada OCONNORS PLANET LUCIA VG-86-2YR-CAN. She and her ten daughters and fifteen first choices from her and her daughters totaled $2,119,500 or an astounding average of $81,519.. Very impressive even for one of the most in-demand young cows in the world. (Read – The Sensational 6 Top North American Genomic Holsteins We Would Invest In). Lucia herself drew the second highest bid of the day selling at $410,000 to Bert DeBruyn of Select Genetics LLC, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. One of the key things about this entire cow family is that they flush well, which is a key component in any genetics program (Read – What Comes First The Chicken Or The Egg?)

Numer Uno daughters of OCONNORS PLANET LUCIA VG-86-2YR-CAN

As Mapel Wood’s Len Vis points out to our readers ”You need to invest in the best and forget the rest.” (Read Mapel Wood Farms – Invest In The Rest Forget The Rest!) That is exactly what Oscar & Eric Dupasquier, Guelph, Ont., Cormdale Genetics Inc., Bethany, Ont., Impact Agr. Div. LA, Burlington, Ont., and Al.Be.Ro. Land & Cattle, Piacenza, Italy did in purchasing OCONNORS LAST HOPE for $475,000. She is currently the number one GTPI “Numero Uno” sired calf in the world with a +2672 GTPI and a +3534 GPA LPI. While not the highest of the Numero Uno daughters, Last Hope is an outstanding individual in her own right and sparked great interest. This heifer really is the complete package. She has that rare combination of personal conformation, production, durability, and health and fertility numbers. In talking with Oscar and Eric Dupasquier they said, “In today’s marketplace you have to work with the very best, there really is no mid-market anymore.” In purchasing part of Last Hope, that is exactly what they have done.

In a re-tooling initiative, Stanton Brothers were the major Genetics By Design buyers. They were the contending bid on Last Hope and ended up purchasing her higher genomic index full sister, MAPEL WOOD LAST DANCE for $365,000. Last Dance is the highest GPA LPI daughter of Lucia, and is the #1 GPA LPI Numero Uno in the world. Not done there, Stantons also purchased OCONNORS BOULDER LUNA, the Mapelwood Boulder (Man-O-Man x Gen-I-Beq Shottle Bombi) from Lucia. Luna is a full sister to the much talked about new release sires from GenerVations, Liquid Gold, Fuzion and Gizmo. (Read – $750 Dollar Semen! Are They Crazy?) Obviously Stanton’s have been reading the Bullvine. (Read – Top Three Things To Consider When Investing In High Genomic Cows)

Another cow family that generated high interest and top prices was that of GEN-I-BEQ SHOTTLE BOMBI EX-92-6YR-USA 3*. A Flevo Genetics Snowman daughter, Oconnors Snowman Bermuda, out of Bombi’s highest index daughter GEN-I-BEQ MANOMAN BIBI VG-85-2YR-CAN, sold for $125,000. Bermuda has an outstanding DGV LPI of +4077, 294 kg of Fat and Protein and is the #6 GPA LPI heifer in Canada. Also topping the sale from the Bombi family was her polled and red carrier Colt-P daughter MAPEL WOOD COLT BRENDA who sold for $113,000. Brenda’s first choice Earnhardt daughter that was guaranteed to have at least one homozygous female option sold for $115,000.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

The GMO partnership provides an outstanding model for how A.I. and top breeders can work together to accelerate their genetic programs. These three first came together under the mentorship of Albert Cormier (Genetics By Design sale manager) and have developed a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship.